Contact pad for semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

A device and method of manufacture is provided that utilize a dummy pad feature adjacent contact pads. The contact pads may be contact pads in an integrated fan-out package in which a molding compound is placed along sidewalls of a die and the contact pads extend over the die and the molding compound. The contact pads are electrically coupled to the die using one or more redistribution layers. The dummy pad features are electrically isolated from the contact pads. In some embodiments, the dummy pad features partially encircle the contact pads and are located in a corner region of the molding compound, a corner region of the die, and/or an interface region between an edge of the die and the molding compound.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/475,169, entitled “Contact Pad For Semiconductor Device,”filed Sep. 2, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/003,979, filed on May 28, 2014, entitled “InFO RDLRouting Capability Improvement Design,” which applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic applications,such as personal computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and otherelectronic equipment, as examples. Semiconductor devices are typicallyfabricated by sequentially depositing insulating or dielectric layers,conductive layers, and semiconductive layers of material over asemiconductor substrate, and patterning the various material layersusing lithography to form circuit components and elements thereon.Dozens or hundreds of integrated circuits are typically manufactured ona single semiconductor wafer. The individual dies are singulated bysawing the integrated circuits along a scribe line. The individual diesare then packaged separately, in multi-chip modules, or in other typesof packaging, for example.

The semiconductor industry continues to improve the integration densityof various electronic components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors,capacitors, etc.) by continual reductions in minimum feature size, whichallow more components to be integrated into a given area. These smallerelectronic components, such as integrated circuit dies, also requiresmaller packages that utilize less area than packages of the past, insome applications.

Integrated Fan Out (InFO) package technology is becoming increasinglypopular, particularly when combined with Wafer Level Packaging (WLP)technology in which integrated circuits are packaged in packages thattypically include a redistribution layer (RDL) or post passivationinterconnect (PPI) that is used to fan-out wiring for contact pads ofthe package, so that electrical contacts can be made on a larger pitchthan contact pads of the integrated circuit. Such resulting packagestructures provide for high functional density with relatively low costand high performance packages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of an integrated fan-out package inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a contact pad having a dummy pad feature inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3J illustrate various intermediate process steps inmanufacturing a package having a contact pad in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating steps that may be performed tomanufacture a device in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the provided subjectmatter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are describedbelow to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merelyexamples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formationof a first feature over or on a second feature in the description thatfollows may include embodiments in which the first and second featuresare formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in whichadditional features may be formed between the first and second features,such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Inaddition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/orletters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose ofsimplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationshipbetween the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,”“above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degreesor at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors usedherein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are related to packagingdevices and methods of manufacture thereof for semiconductor devices.For example, embodiments such as those discussed herein provide a padstructure and arrangement that may be useful in, for example, integratedfan-out (InFO) packages. In some embodiments the pad sizes are decreasedto provide additional area for line routing, such as that provided inredistribution layers (RDLs). As such, embodiments such as thosedisclosed herein extend redistribution layer routing capability bydecreasing pad size without additional reliability concern. Large RDLpads typically occupy a high ratio of the area on a single RDL layer,thus routing capability is limited and often require an additional layeror layers to ensure routing integrity, which in turn increases costs.Furthermore, decreasing pad critical dimensions frequently leads toreliability issues on dielectric (e.g., polymer) layers at certaincritical locations, such as die-corners of ball grid arrayconfigurations. The similar issues have been observed in flip-chippackages as well.

To address these concerns, some embodiments incorporate a dummy padfeature, such as a dummy metal feature, adjacent a contact pad and alongan edge of the under-bump metallization (UBM). Generally, as discussedin greater detail below, the dummy pad feature is a feature, such as ametal feature, separated from the pad and partially surrounding the pad.In some embodiments, the dummy pad feature is a dummy ring partiallyencircling the pad. The dummy pad is not electrically coupled to thecontact pad.

The dummy pad feature may be incorporated wherever appropriate for aparticular design. For example, in some embodiments the dummy padfeature is provided at die-corners of a ball grid array (BGA)configuration to reduce or eliminate reliability issues, particularlywhen accompanied by decreasing RDL pad sizes and polymer opening sizes.Additionally, in some embodiments, the dummy pad feature is incorporatedin a small area along die-corners and package-corners. For example, insome embodiments, a 3×3 region of a BGA array along die corners andpackage corners incorporate the dummy pad feature. Dummy pad featuresmay also be incorporated along an interface between the die and amolding compound.

As will be discussed below, embodiments are disclosed that utilize adummy pad feature and a pad structure for the purpose of attaching onesubstrate to another substrate, wherein each substrate may be a die,wafer, printed circuit board, packaging substrate, or the like, therebyallowing for die-to-die, wafer-to-die, wafer-to-wafer, die or wafer toprinted circuit board or packaging substrate, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a plan view of a portion of anInFO package in accordance with some embodiments. The InFO packageillustrated in FIG. 1 includes a die area 102 and a molding compoundarea 104. In embodiments such as this, a die (represented as the diearea 102) has a molding compound (represented by the molding compoundarea 104) along sidewalls of the die. Contact pads 106 provide anexternal electrical connection to another substrate, such as a die,wafer, packaging substrate, printed circuit board, interposer or thelike. Overlying layers, such as an redistribution layers, under-bumpmetallization (UBM) layer and the like, are not shown to betterillustrate features of an embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a width W₁ of the contact pads is about 100 μmto about 200 μm, such as about 140 μm. This reduced size of the contactpads, as compared to contact pads having a width of about 240 μm orgreater allows greater area for redistribution lines. In someembodiments, the additional area for the redistribution lines allowsfewer routing layers to be utilized, thereby reducing the cost ofmanufacture.

FIG. 1 further illustrates three dummy regions 108 a, 108 b, and 108 c(collectively referred to as dummy regions 108), indicated by the dashedrectangles, represent regions in which the dummy pad features 110(discussed below with reference to FIG. 2) are incorporated inaccordance to some embodiments. The dummy regions 108 illustrate bondingregions that may experience a higher level of stress, for example,during thermal cycling on board (TCoB), such as thermal cycling of apackage mounted on a printed circuit board. The incorporation of thedummy pad features 110 reduces the stress and the risk of delaminationor other failures.

The first dummy region 108 a is along a corner of package. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the corner of the package comprisescontact pads 106 positioned over the molding compound 104 along thecorner. In an embodiment, the first dummy region 108 a comprises an areaof 3×3 contact pads positioned over the molding compound 104 along acorner of the package, though other sizes may be used. In an embodiment,the second dummy region 108 b comprises an area of 4×4 contact padspositioned over a corner of an interface between the die area 102 andthe molding compound area 104 along a corner of the die, though othersizes may be used. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second dummy region 108b may overlap the contact pads in the die area 102 and the moldingcompound region 104. In an embodiment, the third dummy region 108 ccomprises an area of 3 contact pads along an interface between the diearea 102 and the molding compound area 104 along a edges of the die,though other sizes may be used. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the thirddummy region 108 c may overlap the contact pads in the die area 102 andthe molding compound region 104. Dummy pad features 110, such as thoseembodiments disclosed herein, may be particularly useful in theseregions, or other regions experiencing a higher level of stress,delamination, and/or other failures.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged plan view of the contact pads 106 anddummy pad features 110 in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2 alsoillustrates part of portions of a redistribution layer 112. Theredistribution layer 112 is a conductive line that routes the electricalsignals to the desired location of the contact pads 106. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the dummy pad features 110 form ringspartially encircling the contact pads 106. In some embodiments, thedummy pad features 110 are on an opposing side of the contact pad 106from the die or a die center.

In some embodiments, a width W₂ of the dummy pad features is about 15 μmto about 30 μm, such as about 20 μm. A width of the dummy pad featuresmay be adjusted according to the needs of a particular design and padlayout. In some embodiments a width of 15 μm or greater providedsignificant reductions in the stress and cracking issues, particularlywithin the polymer regions around the contact pads. Further, in someembodiments, a width of greater than about 30 μm provided little or noadditional advantage and in some embodiments may require additionalspace. Other embodiments may utilize other dimensions.

FIGS. 3A through 3J illustrate various cross-sectional views ofintermediate steps of manufacturing a semiconductor device such as thatdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with someembodiments. Referring first to FIG. 3A, there is shown a carriersubstrate 302 having one or more optional backside redistribution layers304 formed thereon. As will be discussed in greater detail below, a diewill be placed on the carrier substrate 302 having the contact pads faceup. The backside redistribution layers 304 provide for electricalconnections on both sides of the package, allowing for stacked package(e.g., package-on-package (POP) configurations). Alternatively, thebackside redistribution layers 304 may be omitted if a die, package, orother substrate will not be stacked upon the current package.

Generally, the carrier substrate 302 provides temporary mechanical andstructural support during subsequent processing steps. Additionally, asillustrated in FIG. 3A, the carrier substrate 302 provides a surface onwhich to form the backside redistribution layers 304. The carriersubstrate 302 may comprise, for example, glass, silicon oxide, aluminumoxide, and the like.

The backside redistribution layers 304 include one or more layers ofdielectric materials with conductive features (e.g., conductive linesand vias) formed therein. The one or more layers of dielectric materialsare represented collectively as backside dielectric layers 304 a, andthe conductive features are collectively represented as backsideconductive features 304 b.

The one or more backside dielectric layers 304 a may be formed of anysuitable material (e.g., polyimide (PI), polybenzoxazole (PBO), BCB,epoxy, silicone, acrylates, nano-filled pheno resin, siloxane, afluorinated polymer, polynorbornene, an oxide, a nitride, and the like)using any suitable method (e.g., a spin-on coating technique,sputtering, and the like). The formation of the backside conductivefeatures 304 b may include patterning the backside dielectric layers 304a (e.g., using photolithography and/or etching processes) and formingbackside conductive features 304 b in the patterned backside dielectriclayers 304 a (e.g., by depositing a seed layer, using a mask layer todefine the shape of the conductive features, and using anelectroless/electrochemical plating process).

FIG. 3B illustrates formation of optional through vias 310 in accordancewith some embodiments. The optional through vias 310 provide anelectrical connection from one side of the package to another side ofthe package. For example, as will be explained in greater detail below,a die will be mounted to the backside redistribution layers 304 and amolding compound will be formed around the through vias and the die.Subsequently, another device, such as another die, package, substrate,or the like, may be attached to the die and the molding compound. Thethrough vias 310 provide an electrical connection between the anotherdevice and the backside redistribution layers 304 without having to passelectrical signals through the die mounted to the backsideredistribution layers 304.

The through vias 310 may be formed, for example, by forming a conductiveseed layer (not shown) over the backside redistribution layers 304. Amask, such as a patterned photoresist layer, may be deposited andpatterned to define the shape of the through vias 310, wherein openingsin the mask expose the seed layer. The openings may be filled with aconductive material using, for example, an electroless plating processor an electrochemical plating process. The plating process mayuni-directionally fill openings (e.g., from seed layer upwards) in thepatterned photoresist. Uni-directional filling may allow for moreuniform filling of such openings, particularly for high aspect ratiothrough vias. Alternatively, a seed layer may be formed on sidewalls ofopenings in the patterned photoresist, and such openings may be filledmulti-directionally. Subsequently, the photoresist may be removed in anashing and/or wet strip process, leaving the through vias 310 over andelectrically connected to backside redistribution layers 304 asillustrated in FIG. 3B. The through vias 310 can also be realized withmetal wire studs placed by a wire bonding process, such as a copper wirebonding process. The use of a wire bonding process may eliminate theneed for depositing a seed layer, depositing and patterning aphotoresist, and plating to form the through vias 310.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, there is shown a die 312 attached to thebackside redistribution layers 304 in accordance with some embodiments.The die 312 may include a substrate having any type of circuitrysuitable for a particular application formed thereon. For example, theelectrical circuitry may include various N-type metal-oxidesemiconductor (NMOS) and/or P-type metal-oxide semiconductor (PMOS)devices, such as transistors, capacitors, resistors, diodes,photo-diodes, fuses, and the like, interconnected to perform one or morefunctions. The functions may include memory structures, processingstructures, sensors, amplifiers, power distribution, input/outputcircuitry, or the like. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the above examples are provided for illustrative purposes only tofurther explain applications of some illustrative embodiments and arenot meant to limit the disclosure in any manner. Other circuitry may beused as appropriate for a given application.

The die 312 may include one or more dielectric layers overlying theelectrical devices, and metal layers may be formed between dielectriclayers to route electrical signals between the electrical devices.Electrical devices may also be formed in one or more dielectric layers.The die 312 includes external contacts, such as contacts 314, in theuppermost dielectric layer to provide external electrical connections tothe electrical circuitry. In an embodiment, the contacts 314 arealuminum pads or aluminum-copper pads, although other metallic materialsmay be used. The contacts 314 may be pads, pillars, solder balls, wirestuds, or other conductive electrical connection to the electricalcircuitry of the die 312.

The die 312 may be attached to the backside redistribution layer 304using, for example, an adhesive layer 316 (e.g., a die attach film(DAF)) disposed on a back surface. In an embodiment, the adhesive layer316 may be any suitable adhesive, such as an ultraviolet (UV) glue,which loses its adhesive property when exposed to UV lights.

FIG. 3D illustrates a molding process and molding grind back inaccordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the moldingprocess is a wafer-level molding process. For example, molding compound320 is dispensed to fill gaps between the die 312 and the through vias310. The molding compound 320 may include any suitable material such asan epoxy resin, a molding underfill, and the like. Suitable methods forforming the molding compound 320 may include compressive molding,transfer molding, liquid encapsulant molding, and the like. For example,the molding compound 320 may be dispensed between the die 312 and thethrough vias 310 in liquid form. Subsequently, a curing process isperformed to solidify the molding compound 320. The filling of themolding compound 320 may overflow the die 312 and the through vias 310so that the molding compound 320 covers top surfaces of the die 312 andthe through vias 310. A mechanical grinding, chemical mechanical polish(CMP), or other etch back technique may be employed to remove excessportions of the molding compound 320 and expose the contacts 314 of thedie 312. After planarization, top surfaces of the molding compound 320,the die 312, and the through vias 310 may be substantially level.

Referring next to FIG. 3E, there is shown one or more front sideredistribution layers 330 in accordance with some embodiments. The frontside redistribution layers 330 may be substantially similar to thebackside redistribution layers 304 both in formation process andcomposition. For example, the front side redistribution layers 330 mayinclude one or more layers of dielectric materials (e.g., dielectriclayers 330 a) with conductive features (e.g., conductive lines and vias330 b) formed therein. The one or more dielectric layers may be formedof any suitable material (e.g., polyimide (PI), polybenzoxazole (PBO),BCB, epoxy, silicone, acrylates, nano-filled pheno resin, siloxane, afluorinated polymer, polynorbornene, an oxide, a nitride, and the like)using any suitable method (e.g., a spin-on coating technique,sputtering, and the like). The formation of the front sideredistribution layers 330 may include patterning the dielectric layersusing, for example, photolithography and/or etching processes, andforming conductive features in the patterned dielectric layers by, forexample, forming a conductive material in the openings of the patterneddielectric layers.

FIG. 3F illustrates an enlarged view of a reference area 317 identifiedin FIG. 3E by the dotted rectangle. As shown in FIG. 3E, the referencearea 317 includes a region corresponding to the third dummy region 108 cand an area adjacent to the third dummy region 108 c as discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 3F illustrates two contact pads 318 a and318 b (collectively referred to as contact pads 318) for purposes ofillustration, wherein a first contact pad 318 a is outside the thirddummy region 108 c and a second contact pad 318 b is within the thirddummy region 108 c. It is understood that many more contact pads may bepresent and that similar processes and materials may be used in otherareas of the bonding area, such as the first dummy region 108 a and thesecond dummy region 108 b discussed above with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring back to FIG. 3F, there are shown two contact pads 318 a and318 b, both of which may be used to provide an electrical contact. Alsoshown in FIG. 3F is a dummy pad feature 332 formed adjacent to thecontact pad 318 b. For reference, formation of the contact pad 318 b andthe dummy pad feature 332 is illustrated along the A-A line of FIG. 2.

The contact pads 318 and the dummy pad feature 332 may be formed of anysuitable process and any suitable materials. For example, in anembodiment a seed layer (not shown) is deposited over a surface of thefront side redistribution layers 330. Thereafter, a patterned masklayer, such as a photoresist layer that has been deposited, exposed, anddeveloped, is formed over the seed layer having openings defining thedesired shape of the contact pads 318 and the dummy pad feature 332. Itis understood that the openings may further define a redistribution lineto route the contact pads to the desired location, such as thatillustrated in FIG. 2. A plating process may be used to form the contactpads 318 and the dummy pad feature 332 over the seed layer within theopenings of the patterned mask layer. For example, an electrolessplating process or an electrochemical plating process may be used.Thereafter, the patterned mask layer may be removed, and exposedportions of the seed layer may be removed using the contact pads and thedummy pad feature 332 as a mask. In some embodiments, the contact pads318 and the dummy pad feature 332 are aluminum pads or aluminum-copperpads, although other metallic materials may be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 3F, the contact pads 318 have a width W₃ of about100 μm to about 200 μm, and the dummy pad feature 332 has a width W₄ ofabout 15 μm to about 30 μm. In some embodiments, the dummy pad feature332 is spaced apart from the contact pad 318 b by a distance D₁. Thedistance D₁ may be sized in order to maintain an overlap between thedummy pad feature 332 and a subsequently formed under bump metallization(discussed in greater detail below). In some embodiments, the dummy padfeature 332 may have a thickness of about 2 μm to about 10 μm. It hasbeen found that dimensions such as these reduce stress while allowingfor a smaller pad size. The dummy pad feature 332 may also act as acrack stopper.

It is understood that the contact pads 318 provide an electricalconnection between another substrate to be subsequently attached (see,e.g., FIG. 3I) and the die 102 and/or the through vias 310. On the otherhand, the dummy pad features 332 provide no electrical connectivity andare not components in the electrical circuitry. As illustrated in FIG.3F, the contact pads 318 are separated from the dummy pad features 332.As such, the dummy pad features 332 are features added to reduce stressand provide no electrical connectivity.

FIG. 3G illustrates one or more protective layers 322 formed over frontside redistribution layers 330 in accordance with some embodiments.Protective layers 322 may be formed of a polymer such as an epoxy,polyimide, benzocyclobutene (BCB), polybenzoxazole (PBO), and the like.The formation methods may include spin coating, for example. Theprotective layers 322 are patterned to form an opening, through whichthe contact pads 318 are exposed. The patterning of protective layers322 may include photolithography techniques. A curing step may beperformed to cure the protective layers 322.

FIG. 3H illustrates an under bump metallization (UBM) 324 formed andpatterned over the one or more protective layers 322 and extends throughthe one or more protective layers 322, thereby forming an electricalconnection with the contact pads 318. The under bump metallization 324provides an electrical connection upon which an electrical connector,e.g., a solder ball/bump, may be placed. In an embodiment, the underbump metallization 324 includes a diffusion barrier layer, a seed layer,or a combination thereof. The diffusion barrier layer may include Ti,TiN, Ta, TaN, or combinations thereof. The seed layer may include copperor copper alloys. However, other metals, such as nickel, palladium,silver, gold, aluminum, combinations thereof, and multi-layers thereof,may also be included. In an embodiment, under bump metallization 324 isformed using sputtering. In other embodiments, electro plating may beused.

In some embodiments, the under bump metallization 324 laterally overlapsthe dummy pad features as illustrated in FIG. 3H. In some embodiments,the under bump metallization 324 laterally overlaps the dummy padfeatures by a distance D₂ of greater than about 7.5 μm. For example, insome embodiments in which the width of the dummy pad features is about15 μm, the under bump metallization overlaps about 50% of the dummy padfeatures. Overlapping the under bump metallization 324 and the dummy padfeatures help reduce the stress further, including stress within thepolymer layer at the under bump metallization edge, such as the stressescaused during temperature cycles. In some embodiments, the stress isreduced by about 30%.

Referring next to FIG. 3I, a connector 340 is formed over the under bumpmetallization 324 in accordance with some embodiments. In an embodiment,the connector 340 comprises a eutectic material and may comprise asolder bump or a solder ball, as examples. The solder material may be,for example, lead-based and lead-free solders, such as Pb—Sncompositions for lead-based solder; lead-free solders including InSb;tin, silver, and copper (SAC) compositions; and other eutectic materialsthat have a common melting point and form conductive solder connectionsin electrical applications. For lead-free solder, SAC solders of varyingcompositions may be used, such as SAC 105 (Sn 98.5%, Ag 1.0%, Cu 0.5%),SAC 305, and SAC 405, as examples. Lead-free connectors such as solderballs may be formed from SnCu compounds as well, without the use ofsilver (Ag). Alternatively, lead-free solder connectors may include tinand silver, Sn—Ag, without the use of copper. The connectors 340 may beone among an array of the connectors formed as a grid, such as a ballgrid array (BGA). The connector 340 comprises a conductive ball having ashape of a partial sphere in some embodiments. Alternatively, theconnector 340 may comprise other shapes. The connector 340 may alsocomprise non-spherical conductive connectors, for example.

The connector 340 is attached in some embodiments using a solder balldrop process. During the connector 340 mounting process, or after theconductive material mounting process, the eutectic material of theconductive material 340 may be re-flowed.

FIG. 3J illustrates removal of the carrier substrate 302 and attachmentof an upper substrate 350 and a lower substrate 352 in accordance withan embodiment. Each of the upper substrate 350 and the lower substrate352 may be a die, wafer, packaging substrate, motherboard, printedcircuit board, or the like. In some embodiments, a package-on-packagestructure is formed. For example, the upper substrate 350 may be anotherpackage, wherein the die 312 is a processor and the upper substrate 350is a package providing memory. In this embodiment, the lower substrate352 may be a printed circuit board or a packaging substrate.

As illustrated in FIG. 3H, in some embodiments the dummy pad features(e.g., the dummy pad feature 332) are not exposed. Due to differences inthe coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the upper substrate350 and the other components, stresses between the connector 340 and thecontact pads 318 may cause delamination or other undesirable issues. Asnoted above, the stress at the contact pads 318 increases as the size ofthe contact pads decrease, which in turn may cause delamination or otherfailures. This stress may be particularly high in the dummy regions 108,e.g., along the corners of the package and along the interface betweenthe die 312 and the molding compound 320.

The dummy pad features 332 provide stress relief, reducing the stressapplied to the contact pads 318. The addition of the dummy pad features332 allows for the contact pads to be reduced in size, thereby allowingfor increase area for routing interconnect lines. This increased routingarea may allow fewer layers to be required, thereby reducing costs.

As illustrated in FIG. 3J, the dummy pad features 332 may also beincorporated on the backside redistribution layers 304.

Embodiments such as those discussed above were presented in terms of afan-out packaging with backside and front side redistribution layers forillustrative purposes. Other embodiments may utilize the disclosedfeatures in other configurations. For example, the backsideredistribution layers, the through vias, and the like may not be presentin all embodiments. Furthermore, embodiments may not utilize a fan-outconfiguration. In yet other embodiments, the dummy pad features may beutilized on the backside redistribution layers as well as the front sideredistribution layers. Additionally, a single redistribution layer maybe utilized in one or both of the backside and front side redistributionlayers.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating steps of a process of forming adevice in accordance with some embodiments. The process begins in step402, wherein a substrate is provided. In some embodiments, the substrateis an integrated fan-out package as discussed above with reference toFIGS. 3A-3E, although other types of substrates may be used. In step404, contact pads are formed on the substrate and in step 406 dummy padregions are formed, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 3F. Insome embodiments, the contact pads and the dummy pads may be formedsimultaneously. The dummy pad regions may be formed in high stressregions as discussed above, thereby providing additional wiring routingarea. In step 408, external connectors are formed, such as thatdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 3G-3I. Passivation layers andunder-bump metallization layers may also be formed. Thereafter, in step410, the structure may be bonded to another substrate, such as discussedabove with reference to FIG. 3J.

In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes providing asubstrate and forming contact pads on the substrate. The contact padsprovide electrical connections to circuitry on the substrate. A dummypad feature is formed adjacent a first contact pad such that the dummypad feature is completely over the dielectric surface and provides noelectrical connectivity. An external electrical connector is formed onthe first contact pad.

In another embodiment, another method in provided. The method includesproviding a die and forming a molding compound along sidewalls of thedie. Contact pads are formed over the die and the molding compound.Dummy pad features are formed adjacent a subset of the contact pads,wherein the dummy pad features are electrically isolated from thecontact pads. Electrical connectors are formed on the contact pads, anda substrate is attached to the electrical connectors.

In yet another embodiment, a device is provided. The device includes adie and a molding compound along sidewalls of the die. Contact pads areover the die and the molding compound. Dummy pad features are adjacentselect ones of the contact pads, wherein the dummy pad features provideno electrical connectivity.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that thoseskilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the presentdisclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a die; a molding compoundalong sidewalls of the die; contact pads over the die and the moldingcompound; and dummy pad features, each of the dummy pad features beingadjacent a corresponding one of the contact pads, each of the dummy padfeatures being electrically disconnected from the corresponding one ofthe contact pads, wherein no other conductive material is interposedbetween each dummy pad feature and the corresponding one of the contactpads.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the dummy pad features arepositioned in an exterior corner region of the molding compound.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the dummy pad features are positioned in acorner region of the die.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the dummypad features are positioned in an interface region between an edge ofthe die and the molding compound.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein thedummy pad features comprise a ring partially encircling the contactpads.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the dummy pad features comprisea metal.
 7. A device comprising: a semiconductor die; a molding compoundalong sidewalls of the semiconductor die; a first contact pad over thesemiconductor die and the molding compound; and a first dummy padfeature adjacent the first contact pad, the first dummy pad featurebeing electrically isolated from the first contact pad, the first dummypad feature continuously extending from a first side of the firstcontact pad to a second side of the first contact pad, wherein the firstside and the second side are on opposing sides of first contact pad. 8.The device of claim 7, wherein the first dummy pad feature comprises aring-shaped feature having an opening, the ring-shaped feature extendingpartially around the first contact pad.
 9. The device of claim 8,further comprising a conductive trace, wherein the conductive traceextends through the opening to the first contact pad.
 10. The device ofclaim 7, wherein the first dummy pad feature comprises a metallicfeature.
 11. The device of claim 7, wherein the first dummy pad featureis positioned on a side of the first contact pad opposite a center ofthe semiconductor die.
 12. The device of claim 7, wherein the firstdummy pad feature has a width between 15 μm and 30 μm.
 13. The device ofclaim 7, further comprising a second contact pad, the second contact padbeing free of a dummy pad feature.
 14. A device comprising: asemiconductor die; a molding compound along sidewalls of thesemiconductor die; a first contact pad over the semiconductor die andthe molding compound; a second contact pad over the semiconductor die orthe molding compound; and a dummy pad feature adjacent the first contactpad, the dummy pad feature being electrically isolated from the firstcontact pad and the second contact pad, the second contact pad beingfree of dummy pad features.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein thefirst contact pad is closer to a corner of the semiconductor die thanthe second contact pad.
 16. The device of claim 14, wherein the firstcontact pad is closer to a corner of the molding compound than thesecond contact pad.
 17. The device of claim 14, wherein the dummy padfeature extends along opposing sides of the first contact pad.
 18. Thedevice of claim 14, further comprising a trace, the trace extendingthrough an opening the dummy pad feature to the first contact pad. 19.The device of claim 14, wherein the first contact pad is positioned overan interface region, the interface region being an interface between thesemiconductor die and the molding compound.
 20. The device of claim 14,further comprising a redistribution layer over the molding compound andthe semiconductor die, the first contact pad and the second contact padbeing over the redistribution layer.